Where to Live
Atlanta is getting to be very expensive to rent, but don't fret! Check for ads for smaller buildings on Zillow or Craigslist if you're in need of more affordable housing. There are a lot of options if you have your eyes open. '13
Pick your living situation location based on traffic and work location as this will contribute greatly to your quality of life or lack thereof. '17
You want to be close to the Beltline! '15
Traffic in Atlanta continues to top the list as among the worst in the country. Best advice: live relatively close to where you work, but make sure that area fits your social needs.
- Virginia Highlands - between Emory University and Midtown with mostly duplexes or homes converted into multiple living quarters. You can walk to shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
- Inman Park - east of downtown just south of Virginia Highlands. Apartments, condos and converted houses for rent. Several shops and restaurants are within walking distance.
- Old Fourth Ward - east of downtown, between Virginia Highlands and Inman Park. Newer apartment and condo complexes with ground-floor retail and restaurants.
- Grant Park / East Atlanta - Up-and-coming neighborhood. Less expensive than Virginia Highlands, but the neighborhood and community feel are the same.
- Candler Park - east of downtown between Inman Park and Decatur and popular for young families. Cheaper than the Highlands, but still pricy. Mostly duplexes.
- Midtown - Trendy for 20-to-40-year-olds and very convenient to everything the city has to offer. Rents are more expensive than other locations.
- West Midtown - up-and-coming area of town popular among artists and Georgia Tech students. Newer apartment complexes with local faire, and close to shops and bars.
- Buckhead - north of Midtown and home for many young Vanderbilt grads. Close to shopping and restaurants.
- Brookhaven - Neighborhood in north Buckhead. Still has access to everything, but more of a community feel.
- Decatur - Popular laid back and eclectic neighboring town with great attractions. Decatur Square has fun places to shop and great places to eat.
- North of the City (Perimeter area or Vinings) - Great areas to find more affordable housing 15 minutes from the city, but you most likely won't be able to walk to a local establishment.
Things to Do
Go to the farmer's markets! There's a bunch here, but the best two are the DeKalb County Farmer's Market on Ponce and the Buford Highway Farmer's Market up near the perimeter. If it's at all convenient, buy most of your food at one of these places. It'll taste better, stay fresh longer, and be cheaper than any other grocery store! '12
If you like the outdoors, there's lots to do. Explore all the parks in town and also check out hiking trails just outside the city. '20
I have a theory that bakeries are the compass to a city. My favorites are Evergreen, Root, Proof, and Little Tart. Ask people who work there what they like to do / where they like to eat! '20
- Professional sports - The Braves, Hawks, Falcons and Atlanta United provide year- round professional sports
- Krog Street Market - West Coast-style market in Inman Park with unique, specialty creations and stalls to sell produce, goods, and prepared food, along with a few southern-grown restaurants and retailers.
- Ponce City Market - This restored Sears, Roebuck & Co. building is a popular place to grab a bite to eat, shop or work. Be sure to stop by Farm to Ladle, owned by a Vanderbilt alum!
- Martinis & IMAX - Friday nights at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
- Jazz at the High - The High Museum of Art stays open late for cocktails and live jazz on the third Friday of the month.
- Cocktails in the Gardens - Seasonal Thursdays at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
- Vanderbilt Game Watches - Vanderbilt fans in Atlanta attend game watches for select games. Visit vuconnect.com/atlanta and look for chapter emails for events.
- Festivals - Popular festivals include the Dogwood Festival, Virginia Highlands Summer Fest, Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur Beer Festival, Pride Festival, and Chomp & Stomp.
- Wine Tastings - Murphy's Restaurant has a great tasting. The Vino Venue was started by a Vandy alum and is probably the best place in the city for wine tastings and classes.
- Peachtree Road Farmer's Market - runs April through November with local produce, meats, cheeses, breads and more!
- Breweries - Atlanta has many popular breweries including Monday Night Brewing, Red Brick Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewing Company, Eventide Brewing and Urban Tree Cidery.
- Buckhead Theatre - Atlanta's premier intimate theatrical venue, it is also the site of sold-out shows of every musical genre.
Fun Outdoors
Tourist attractions. Aquarium is expensive but worth it. Civil Rights Museum is extremely well done and moving; a must-see. Unless you want to pay Coke $20 to assault you with their marketing for three hours, the World of Coke is a hard pass. '13
- Piedmont Park - great for running, walking, playing with your dog, or people watching. The facility also has tennis courts, bocce ball courts, a pool, softball diamonds, volleyball courts, and open fields for soccer or Frisbee.
- Beltline - a multi-use 22-mile trail being developed in Atlanta; sections of the Eastside (3 miles), Westside (3 miles), Southwest (1.15 miles), and Northside (1 mile) trails are completed and open for use.
- Good neighborhoods to explore by foot or bike - Candler Park, Virginia Highlands, Emory, Grant Park, Lake Claire, Decatur, Inman Park, Brookhaven.
- Silver Comet Trail - this walk/bike path stretches from Vinings all the way to Alabama.
- Stone Mountain (just outside the city) - hiking, golfing, fishing, laser light show, and more.
- Chastain Park (Buckhead)
- Sweetwater Creek State Park (hiking trails, about 30 minutes out)
- Tennis - Great city for any level of tennis player. All of the public tennis facilities around the city have teams, drills, and lessons for all levels and Atlanta has its own citywide league called ALTA (altatennis.org). Dekalb Tennis Center hosts mixed doubles round robin that attracts young singles. Details at dekalbtennis.com.
